Car & Caboodle: Quick Picks

Quick Picks

The 2008 Acura RDX Does Not Serve Chicken Soup

My car, a well travelled Acura MDX, is in the shop today, getting new brake pads. So today I have a loaner car; a smaller, springier, and sportier Acura RDX.

For about the first seven miles I spent with the loaner, I felt freed. Like I'd just stripped off a fat suit. Maybe it's all the minivan test driving I have been doing lately but when I accellerated? Woo Hoo! I did not mind for even a minute that I could not drive carpool today for lack of seating.

And then something strange happened. A light flashed on the dashboard. Telling me that it was high time for check up. And then another. Check tire pressure already! Mere moments later a voice boomed over the car's sound system admonishing me to buckle my seatbelt, and as message after message flashed urgently at me, jarring me, I started feeling a little bit less like I was having fun and a little bit more like the spirit of my dear departed and overprotective Grandma, was inhabiting this vehicle.

I'm all for safety. My kids might even say that I am a lot like dear Granny. But there has to be a limit here if I am going to enjoy driving and not be startled into crashing for fear of missing the 10k check up.

Plus if any car is going to nag at me like that, it had better make me great chicken soup and send me $10 checks in a heartfelt card on my birthday.

May 28, 2008 in Car Reviews, Editorial, Quick Picks | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: acura

Soccer Mom in a Minivan: The Jeannie Tate Show

Get over your minivan lifestyle with the humorous help of Jeannie Tate. This whole episode really was filmed in a minivan. I'd drive one too if I could be this funny about it. View additional episodes at JeannieTate.com.

May 21, 2008 in Quick Picks | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: minivan, youtube

News Roundup: Euro Fords coming, Maternity Belts, Road Trip Cars and $3 Gas

AutoBlog: C-Max and Kuga may follow Euro Focus to the U.S.

AutoBlog reports that Ford officials have confirmed their intent to bring the Kuga, a compact CUV, and the C-Max, a people-moving cousin of the Mazda5, to the US. No details yet on when we can expect their arrival, but it's good to see that Ford is willing to bring some new family-friendly vehicles across the Atlantic.

Ford C-Max

Gizmag: Tummy Shield seat belt keeps mother and baby safe

Auto-related injuries are the leading cause of fetal loss in pregnant women, and there is a new product out of Australia that aims to stop that loss. The Tummy Shield certainly isn't the first maternity seat belt adapter, but the design is definitely interesting!

Car and Driver: Chrysler extends $2.99 gasoline deal

Chrysler's promotion guaranteeing $2.99 gas for three years is generating lots of waves in the automotive industry, and has reportedly increased traffic up to 20% in showrooms since the May 7 Launch. Originally slated to end June 2, executives have extended the promotion until July 7. The Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Journey and the Chrysler Sebring are selling the best in this promotion. Less thrifty vehicles like the SRT line, Viper and Jeep Wrangler do not apply.

Kelley Blue Book: 2008 Best New Road Trip Vehicles

Kelley Blue Book has put together a list of the Best New Road Trip Vehicles for 2008, with some... interesting... choices on board. I don't think i'd bring any Cheerios or Goldfish if we were going to Grandma's in my Bugatti!

May 20, 2008 in Quick Picks | by Kyle Pike | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: Buggati, C-Max, Chrysler, Crossover, CUV, Ford, Kuga, minivan, News Roundup, Veyron

Subaru Forester - The Sexy Japanese SUV?

Subaru Forester has a sexy new ad campaign. It's big, really big. And wet. Perfect viewing for a hot Monday morning. This ought to cool you off!

May 19, 2008 in Quick Picks | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: commercial, forester, japan, Subaru, suv

Kids Off to Camp? You'll Need This...

Most camps want you to clearly label all your kid's possessions. Finding the right supplies can be tricky but we've had great success labelling our kid's possessions with custom labels from Mabel's labels. These are essential for camp but great for daycare kids and kids in elementary school as well - our motto is "label it or lose it" and given the many trips we have made to lost and found (finding our labelled goods) in the last few yrs, these labels have more than paid for themselves.

Watch the video for some pointers on how to get all your camp gear labelled and ready to go.And don't forget to order some stationary for those priceless letters home.

May 15, 2008 in Luggage & Travel Accessories, Quick Picks, Trip Planning & Travel Tips | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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To Bribe or Not to Bribe:

Ok don't judge me. I don't like to give my kids candy. I want to be that "no food rewards ever" mom. But I just can't do it. I take comfort in the notion that even Mary Poppins subscribed to the "spoonful of sugar" school of discipline. And she's like the SUPER super nanny. Right?

My guilt load lightened up a tiny little bit when I discovered Yummy Earth Organic lollipops. These tiny little suckers now inhabit my glove compartment and my bag - ready to coerce my kids into doing my evil bidding. I myself feel like an evil genius, using a bribe on them that is vegan, kosher, dairy free, nut free, wheat free, and free of nasty corn syrup to boot.

Consider this twist, however. This morning en route to the grocery store I experienced a post venti americano caffiene crash, and at the same time my blood sugar took an unexpected dip. I was stuck in construction traffic, not a Starbucks in sight and on the verge of a massive mommy tantrum when I thought to myself, just be a good girl and get the grocery shopping done and you can have a lolly. So ten seconds later I dipped in to the dashboard stash and tried out a pomegrante pucker lollipop and all I can say is wow! It was seriously and truly the yummiest lollipop I have had in ages.

I'm almost tempted to have another. Just as soon as I take out the trash, put up dinner, and do a carpool run. Gotta love that the serving size on the package is listed as three lollipops. Yeah, they are that good. And a single serving is only 70 calories. Get Yummy Earth Lollipops at the Yummy Earth Website. They have 21 delicious flavors.

May 12, 2008 in Quick Picks, Snack Attack | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (2)
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collision.kit by Buttoned Up - A Savior in Time Of Need

If you were to get into a car accident, and in the midst of the shock forgot to get the phone number of the other party, you’d never forgive yourself. This is why ButtonedUp owners created the collision.kit.

The collision.kit contains preprinted semi instructional information cards for you to gather and store all of the vital information you would need to give and get in a car accident. There is an extra pad of paper, pen, and envelope for your insurance card and a disposable camera. It all zips up and fits in your glove compartment, taking up little more space than a paperback novel.

The question now is: why doesn’t everyone have one in their car?

Car & Caboodle readers: buy the collision.kit at Precious Personalities and you will get 10% off by using code MWS10.

May 8, 2008 in Car Accessories, Coupons & Deals, Quick Picks | by Candice Kahn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Xtracycle for an Extra Special Mom

Have a looksee at this Xtracycle bike that can get in a workout while taking the kids to school, doing the family grocery shopping and helping save the environment.

That's a Mommy bike if I ever saw one. Sure Dads will want one too, but they will have to get in line. Note the image gallery on the Xtracycle site, showing dudes having all kinds of wacky fun on these rides. I guess that is allowed. As long as someone gets the groceries bought and the kids to school.

Yes we're all about cars, but we're about life on the move with family. And saving gas money. We love this bike!

May 6, 2008 in Quick Picks | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: bicycle, bike

Mudpuppy's Sticker Set Play Scene: A Restaurant Savior

Mudpuppy’s Sticker Set Play Scene are a travel lifesaver. The colorful boards open up to play scenes where kids can create a picture or tell a story using reusable vinyl stickers. The boards fold in half and have cut-outs for a handles for portability.

It’s perfect for that point in the meal where your child gets antsy and is ready to go. Pull out the Sticker Set Play Scene and you have instant entertainment and the rare opportunity to enjoy and finish your meal.

The Sticker Set Play Scene has held the attention of my boys long enough for us to get through several restaurant trips with our two young sons. My two-year-old loves playing with the mini On The Farm set and telling us what each sound each of the animals make.

Mudpuppy's Sticker Set Play Scenes also work well in the car because they are big enough to lay on your child’s lap.

You can get the Mudpuppy Sticker Set Play Scene at the Galison/Mudpuppy website - $11 for the regular size and $8 for the mini.

April 24, 2008 in In Car Entertainment, Quick Picks | by Candice Kahn | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: car toys, mudpuppy, stickers

No Passengers, No Kids, No Traffic - Pure Joy!

Here's a little something for daydreaming dads out there - take a ride through a deserted Rio in a classic Ferrari.

And if that's not enough, take a look at this early morning 140MPH drive through the streets of Paris.

February 22, 2008 in Quick Picks | by Robert | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: ferrari, paris, racing

Backseat Organizers - 3 for the Road

Whether it's an all day road trip or just the regular errands and school runs, a backseat full of kids and their stuff can quickly get out of control. We love these options for corralling their clutter and keeping their snacks fresh and cool.

1. The Cooler Backseat Organizer by Talus ($21.99)

This multifunctional organizer works at your destination as well as in the car. It folds into a tote bag and is perfect for picnics. It keeps up to a dozen bottles cool! Just be forwarned that you surely are going to need to pack a travel potty if you let your children consume that much frosty beverage back there. Additional storage slots hold wipes,snacks toys/games and reading material close at hand.

2.The Kid's Backseat Organizer ($32.99)

If you have seat space to spare, and kids who need to share but like to stake their own territory, this organizer is a great solution. Multiple outer pockets (identical on both sides, in case that matters and you know it does!) organize smaller items and the inside is partitioned so each kiddo has their own stash space. The sturdy lid is perfect for games or as a drawing table and has flip up sides that prevent items from sliding off the surface.

3. Kids Backseat Console and Organizer with Cup Holders ($49.99)

If you have bucket seats in the back - this molded plastic organizer/console brings the storage up to the right height for kids to safely access. It also works well on bench seats. This one is an especially good choice for families with younger children.

February 4, 2008 in Quick Picks | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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